REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Chairman of Pengurus Besar Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Yahya Cholil Staquf introduced various ideas carried by NU regarding civilization through his visit to the United States (USA).

In a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday (September 18, 2024), Gus Yahya, who is familiar with KH Yahya Cholil Staquf, reportedly met with a number of policy makers, including having discussions with experts at The Heritage Foundation, which is one of the influential actors in the policy formulation process in US politics, especially among Republicans.

In the discussion, Gus Yahya presented the potential important role of Indonesia and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in geopolitical dynamics, especially in the Islamic world and in the Indo-Pacific region.

Director of the Center for Asian Studies at The Heritage Foundation Jeff Smith expressed his commitment to strive to support the development of cooperation with Indonesia in the future.

Gus Yahya also met former Head of Policy Planning Division of the U.S. Department of State Peter Berkowitz, where he was previously involved as a spokesperson for the R20 religious forum held in Bali, November 2022.

Berkowitz praised the initiative. According to him, the forum was an extraordinarily important initiative that left an unforgettable impression. Because of that impression, he then connected Gus Yahya with strategic nodes in the US that were expected to support and assist NU in further international initiatives.

Subsequently, Gus Yahya moved to the headquarters of The Atlantic Council, which was one of the influential actors in the process of formulating policies on the politics of the United States from different axes. He expounded on the importance of encouraging the integration of the Islamic world into the global system.

Moreover, Gus Yahya also encouraged the realization of a truly just and harmonious international order upheld on the principle of respect for equality of rights and dignity for every human being.

The Atlantic Council welcomes the initiatives undertaken by NU. They are committed to supporting and assisting NU in its initiatives in the International arena.

“Today, few in America understand the importance of NU's role in global dynamics. But I understand very much, fully understand,” Atlantic Council President and CEO Fred Kempe told Gus Yahya.

Subsequently, Gus Yahya also met with prominent Evangelical figure Johnie Moore, along with a number of media figures, politicians, investors and actors in industry, philanthropy, and technology to expound on the idea of civilization and the importance of reaffirming the basic principles of the United Nations Charter.

According to Gus Yahya, this is important in order to prevent the continuation of international conflicts that are likely to expand and potentially ignite large-scale wars in the future.

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